My 2003 chevy impala had lost all the dex cool antifreeze and was overheating w/the engine light coming on. On further investigation, my mechanic says it is the intake manifold and is likely caused by the dex cool coolant as this has been an ongoing problem with that particular coolant clogging up and destroying the intake manifold. I checked out the website for dexcool and you had to be in on the claim by october 2008 to get any type of reimbursement. It is january 09 so I guess I am now stuck with the problem????? I am requesting a total recall of all the vehicle made with dex cool as this is eating through and destroying the cheaply made parts of my car. A search on the internet amazingly brought up so many problems with these poorly made parts it is sickening. I am upset that I received nothing from my dealer regarding this problem or from gm for that matter. Recall this problem and make the automaker responsible. By the way, my car has only 36,000 miles on it. Take that for a car in need of a costly repair with that few of miles! Thanks for your help in this matter as it is very frustrating as a consumer.
2003 Chevrolet Impala engine complaints
Page 6 of 7: complaints 131 to 160 of 168, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet impala. In august of 2007, while driving approximately 25 MPH, the turn signals failed. Immediately following this incident, while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle overheated. The contact pulled to the side of the road, lifted the hood, and noticed smoke rising from the engine. She took the vehicle to a local repair shop and the mechanic informed her that the radiator was cracked and needed to be repaired. The repairs were made, but the vehicle overheated again months later. In august of 2008, body work was performed on the vehicle and afterwards the exterior lighting began to illuminate on and off automatically. She took the vehicle back to the body shop and was informed that the failure was due to a defective combination switch. The combination switch was replaced and the mechanic stated that the repair was unsuccessful; therefore, the original part was reinstalled. After the failed attempt to repair the failure, the mechanic performed a diagnostic test and stated that the failure was due to the combination switch. The manufacturer and dealer have not been notified. The current mileage was 171,920 and failure mileage was 150,000.
2003 chevy impala with 61,000 miles had transmission rebuilt, replace radiator, heater core, water pump and intake manifold all due to dexcool dumping into all the above from radiator called chervolet and dexcool manufacture they blamed one another for the problem, neither did anything about. Resulting in $2293.87 worth of repairs and not to mention no vehicle for over 3 weeks does not include price of rental for a week or so and time off for running vehicle to repair shops.
About 1 year ago my 2003 impalas heat gauge started acting funny like the car was overheating but then it would go back to normal. It was cool out about that time of year and I also noticed the car had no heat. I replaced the thermostat thinking that was the problem but it did not help and the problem persisted. My husband then noticed that the coolant level was low and added more. That also did not fix the problem, and about a week later we noticed the coolant was low again. We looked for the leak and could not find one. I finally took the car to the dealership and they automatically knew what the problem was and stated it was a problem with the 3400 series engine. We paid nearly $700 to have the car fixed. I have recently noticed that my coolant level again is low but can not detect any of the same problems as before, I still have heat and A/C and the heat gauge is not fluctuating but I have been looking around at recalls some forums about the same type of car and have discovered many others are having the same trouble, but there is no recall for the 3400 series motor as there is for the 3800.
My impala began to have issues with the thermostat reading going from cool to hot extremely quick and the red check engine light came on. I had the vehicle towed to a local dealership and was told that these vehicles are notorious for intake manifold issues and that this is the cause of my problem. I was also told that chevrolet is aware of this problem and still refuses to issue a recall. It will cost approximately $1,500.00 to repair the vehicle and if repairs are not made, the vehicle will continue to have a slow leak or eventually, the engine will go completely.
I recently found that the intake manifold gasket fails on the chevrolet 3.8 v6 and that chevrolet has known of the problem for years and has not corrected the problem. I travel cross country regularly in my 2003 impala with the 3.8 engine and am concerned that the engine will fail on the highway and could cause serious accident. Before I knew that gm was aware of this problem I owned a 2000 s-10 pick up and had the gasket replaced for over $700 dollars. I now face the same expense or more to fix the impala. I feel that gm should have recalled and fixed his problem because hey were aware of the defect in the gasket and plastic coolant part going through the valve cover.
2003 chevy impala -- intake manifold gasket -- told factory puts on plastic ones that do not last, causing oil leakage and possible damage to the motor if not corrected in time - did not see any recall on this issue -- why???
Dexcool intake manifold gasket failure in my 2003 cheverolet impala with only aprox 60,000 miles.
Took vehicle in to dealer for regular maintenance, told that lower intake gasket was leaking bad and needs immediate replacement as well as coolant flush. Total for repair is $1450. Vehicle has only 83k miles.
2003 chevrolet impala with 45,242 miles had to have an intake manifold gasket replaced due to it leaking antifreeze into the oil. $550.
My 2003 impala cuts off at low speed high speed and while in idle the car has been to the dealership for repairs they cannot answer what is wrong with the car, but I keep getting billed for them to diagnose the issue, I got my car back on 4/11/2007 and on the next morning while the car was warming in the drive way it shut off and was hard to restart I was advised by the dealership my fuel filter was the issue
Tl*- the contact took the 2003 chevrolet impala for an oil change, while she was at the service location, the technician told her that the intake manifold was leaking. Also, the high beam switch did not working properly. The high beam switch turned on, but did not stay on. The technician stated that the two failures were common. Failure mileage was at 58,524.
Bought chevrolet impala in 2002 car had 5 miles on it and I put the 5 miles by test driving the car I wouldn't recommend anyone to by a chevrolet . Chevrolet doesn't stand by their cars I had to replaces the intake gaskets and a catalytic and a water pump and this week I had to put a transmission in it this week and that cost me 2400 and chevrolet would nt help us a all ,chevrolet said that it had to many miles on it what do they want for a car to have no miles on it I drive to work and back. I don't think chevrolet should had to paid for the transmission but I would like them to help us and stand by a american made car.
Noticed it took longer for the car to heat up last winter; this winter started out the same, and I noticed the blower wouldn't work on setting 5 sometimes. Then it quit heating altogether, and the fan would quit but start back up. Now the fan quit blowing altogether. No heat, no defrost, in sub-zero weather, and I'm looking at about $1000 in "repairs" which should be covered as a manufacturer's defect. Thanks gm. I'll be sure to buy another of your vehicles. There is a manifold gasket leak, and the blower motor needs to be replaced.
I have a 2003 chevrolet impala which has 46,904 miles on it and it required the following at a cost of $1,150.00 to fix. I brought it to the dealer for a no heat problem, upon inspecting the vehicle it was found to need new lower intake manifold gaskets, new water pump, flushing and new dexcool antifreeze because of contamination.
Complaints of engine temperature always ended with no found problems on vehicle owned and serviced regularly since purchased new in april 2003. Regular oil changes and engine coolant flush as recommended by manufacturer were completed and still no problems found. At 75,671 miles dealer found intake gaskets leaking and said engine damage would occur if not replaced. Repair cost $658. Found that technical service bulletins indicate this is a know problem in a host of gm vehicles from 2000. Public is being forced to pay for major engine repairs for poor engineering on the part of the manufacturer. Engine failure due to this problem could result in serious accident for the less than knowledgeable driver. Environmental concerns with poor less than optimal engine performance, loss of coolant, oil, etc. Should also be considered. How many of these repairs have been done over the span of years by the manufacturer? How many uninformed consumers have been duped by this lack of manufacturer responsibility?
My 2003 impala started with a slow loose of coolant. Every week or so would have to add to the overflow, but never saw a leak. Was over-heating too. Eventually it would have a ticking from the engine area when starting car. It wasn't all the time though. I noticed that there was oil on my driveway and the oil was about a 1/2 quart low. Checked again in couple days and needed to add a quart because light came on. Two days later light came on again. Took it to a chevy dealership who informed me that the gasket needed replacing in the intake manifold because coolant mixed with oil. Also needed coolant flush, and oil change and another gasket. They told me there was lots of sludge in engine and could cause more problems in the future. The car has 68,000 miles on it and it cost me over $1300 to repair. What a shock to the pocket book.
The car starting smelling like anti-freeze and then a big puddle appeared in the front passenger side of the car. The only thing we did was drive from nampa, id to billings, mt, which we have done four times before. It has been determined that the heater core needs to be replaced. The car has 68,000 miles on it right now as of july 28th, 2006. In novemeber of 2003, three months after I bought the car, the heater core was replaced at 31,000 by the lithia dealership in helena, mt. The intake manifold was also replaced in may 2006 because the car was overheating and making a ticking noise.
Dt*: the contact stated the first week after purchasing the vehicle, the tires starting making noises while driving at 35 MPH and the engine light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to local dealer who determined the vehicle was driven out of alignment causing tires to wear down. No repairs were made. The vehicle was taken to another dealer who determine all four tire should be replaced at a cost. The tires were not replaced because the contact did not want to pay for the replacement. The tires were rotated by the contact to remedy the problem. Updated 8/1/2006 -
Had to have upper and lower manifold gasket replaced on 2003 impala. Sound of water within the dash. Tsb on same issue back in 2000 gm is aware of this why aren't owners being helped with faulty gaskets. Tbs #03034 the federal safety agency #10003430. Why are we in a position to damage an engine or worse and gm has no responsibility in such a crucial componet. Its affected every model year impala 2000-2003 many tbs's listed each year. They repaired my impala at full cost to(48k.) me. I would not purchase a new car with this being a hazard to me and my family. I was just surprised no reaction until someone gets hurt. Also a very expensive repair for a newer car.
I own chevrolet impala which is less than 3 years old. The coolant is supposed to last 100,000 miles or more. But the system has problems and it leaks. The car gets overheated and presents a fire hazard.
Heater quit working, then car started overheating. Turning off heater/defroster causes it to stop overheating so much, but temperature still rises when waiting at lights. Car is also needing oil replacement, after having an oil change 2 months and 1500 mi ago. Mileage is around 60,000. There is oil leaking out in various places around the engine.
Experienced engine temp fluctuations during this time the heat in the vehicle would not work, after the car was running and warmed up problem would stop. Car heated up to just below the over heat point in rush hour traffic. Brought the car into repair shop they stated the intake gasket need to be replaced ($900.00). The car is only 3 years old with less than 50,000 miles on it.
Dt: the consumer stated that the trunk latch on 2003 chevrolet impala was designed incorrectly. When he put a suit case in the trunk or anything heavy, the latch stuck very high, bent, and eventually the trunk would not shut. The dealer changed the latch once. The foreman and the mechanic at the dealership told him that there was a problem with this model. The warranty was soon to run out. *ak (11/18/05) per invoice, the driveability seemed to idle high.
I own a 2003 impala I was very pleased with my vehicle,even though I have had to have my rotors and brakes fixed twice still pleased overall. However, about a month ago I took my car in for a normal oil change after returning home, I noticed I didn't have any anti-freeze in my car. I called a spoke to a service tech he informed me that I probably had a leak somewhere. I brought it in he informed me there was a hair line crack in my gasket and I needed a new water pump. The cost to repair it would be over one thousand dollars. What I cannot understand why did my low coolant indicator light come on. Why did I have to discover this problem on my own? After reviewing other complaints I find I am not alone with having a coolant concern. I feel that this should be looked into more carefully. It is certainly a problem with the coolant system in the 2003 impala and this failure should not be at the expense of the consumer.
Failure of the catalytic converter on a 2003 chevy impala 3.4.l.
Engine started making unusual clanking sound from engine compartment I opened the hood and noticed that the noise was coming from the engine cooling fan. Attempted to purchase the part but not available out of stock tried several dealers same outcome temporarily out of stock.
My 2003 chevrolet impala makes a roaring sound when the road is wet after a rain. I took it back to the dealer, they said it was caused by water being splashed up on the converter,and it could not be fixed
Took car to have a simple oil change, I get a phone call informing that I need major work done. I purchased my chevrolet impala in 2003, and now I'm being told I have almost a thousand dollars of work that needs to be done. I recently found out that a close relative and a neighbor who also have 2003, chevrolet vehicles (cars) needed the same work done to their car. The cars coolant is somehow mixing with the oil, becoming a slude like substance causing the oil to dirty. This is causing all kinds of problems, the car is running hot, and the temperature guage is jumping frantically. Three different cars, all the same year/make, and egine setup; I think there is definitely a defect in here somewhere.
Driving 2003 impala in rain when engine died suddenly in the middle of street,causing traffic hazard. Starter refused to turn overeven though elctricsl system continued to function, dealer said water got into engine and chevy was not responcible, engine would have to be rebuilt at owners expense.
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